Williams could miss out on two squads

Former Victorian fast bowler Brad Williams could be rewarded for his impressive form in his first Boxing Day Test by being dropped from two Australian squads in the space of three days.

Williams was axed yesterday from the 13-man Australian squad to contest the first four matches of the summer's one-day international series against India and Zimbabwe.

Australia will play India in the first match on January 9.

Williams and veteran Queensland fast bowler Michael Kasprowicz, who were part of the Australia squad that won a one-day tournament in November in India, have made way for the return from injury of World Cup pacemen Jason Gillespie and Brett Lee.

Selectors elected to retain the experienced Andy Bichel and left-arm Test rookie Nathan Bracken, who troubled the Indians in India, ahead of Williams and Kasprowicz.

"That's hard on Brad Williams and Michael Kasprowicz, who performed so well in India, but we only have room for so many fast bowlers in the squad," chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns said.

"Brad and Michael's performances in India were very good and noted by selectors, but it's now up to those in the squad to take their opportunity."

For Williams, it is a scenario that might yet play out again tomorrow when the team for the fourth Test against India at the SCG is named.

Gillespie, who missed the Melbourne Test with a groin injury, is fit again and is expected to be included in the XI for the Test-series decider.

It is likely either Bracken or Williams will be left out, along with Bichel, who was 12th man at the MCG.

Although Williams bowled well in taking four second-innings wickets, including that of Sachin Tendulkar, in the third-Test win this week, Bracken was the pick of the Australian quicks and offers variety.

Victorian all-rounder Ian Harvey, meantime, has retained his place in the one-day squad on the strength of recent good performances with the ball.

Harvey took 4-21 from 4.5 overs to thrust Australia to victory over the home side during the final of the series in India, and has bowled brilliantly for the Bushrangers in the first-class competition this summer.

"He's bowling beautifully for us," Victorian coach David Hookes said. "He's been excellent for us and I know the Australian team rates him as one of their better bowlers in one-day cricket."

His batting, though, has not inspired, with Harvey making three ducks in four innings for Victoria, and he scored only 48 runs in three hits in India.

With Andrew Symonds cementing his place as a batting all-rounder after his World Cup successes, Harvey will be battling with left-arm wrist spinner Brad Hogg for the bowling all-rounder's spot.

It will not be Hogg's only challenge. With Shane Warne indicating an intention to come out of one-day retirement once his 12-month ban ends on February 10 - four days before Australia arrives in Sri Lanka for a one-day series - Hogg's spinning position could come under threat.